Thanks to all of those who included us in or provided us with information on your Public Power Week events. These events remind us that our communities can come together in celebration as well as when we respond to challenges. So many times this past year we have heard of our communities and others coming together after disasters or tragedies and while we all prefer that these events not occur, we are all proud of our response. 

Unfortunately, Washington’s divide has gotten so great that even events that bring our local communities together have been used as political fodder. Normally, I would attempt to avoid discussing the great national political chasm, but I think the reason I would like to discuss it this month is that it does have an impact on our utilities and our member business models. I will not attempt to pose a solution, because there is no easy or short term solution on the horizon. 

While as a nation we began partitioning ourselves into television networks, websites and other media that reflected our own beliefs back at us, those responsible for redistricting did the same. This creates districts where the local population is only marginally challenged to extend or rethink their own political positions. Moreover, this produces not only more homogenous districts, but also extreme divides at the federal level. States elect House Representatives from these like-minded districts that move farther away from center; so when Senate races occur, these folks have to move to center to get elected. This assures that the two houses can only agree on the most universal issues or concepts. Some will say that this was the intent when the founding fathers created the two house system. But the issues today extend far past agriculture versus industry or imports versus exports. Many still paint them as states rights versus federal authority.

So, while we are all frustrated with the lack of work and progress of Congress (reflected in the current approval polls) we are partially responsible. We don’t object when redistricted plans turn our community maps into Rorschach test ink blots. 

How this plays out for our industry to be honest, it is like the start of the Indianapolis 500 where all of our issues are cars waiting at the starting line. But the start never comes and we just keep returning to the pit to refuel while we wait. Simple things like getting the industry exemption to the swap dealer definition in the Dodd/Frank bill are difficult, even though it is clear to all we speak with that this was an unintended consequence of the legislation.

This endless holding pattern would have us chasing shadows if not for the wise guidance of our Legislative Affairs Chair and Vice Chair (Sharon Staz and Mike Kirkwood). They understand that while a great deal of speculative talk occurs on the Hill related to cyber security, tax exempt financing, and other issues, that we have to pursue, the issues that may actually move. Thus, we pursue more of the issues we can with regulators and approach congressional leaders about how regulating issues are or are not working with the public power business model. 

And we hope bridges or tunnels form between the divided houses so that the issues that we have will resolve, and we only hope that these tunnels are nothing like the Big Dig!

Happy Thanksgiving!